Severus asked Filius if it was all right if Harry stayed with him Friday night. He explained about Sirius and Remus coming to visit on Saturday. Filius of course, knew of the bad history between Severus and Sirius having been a professor when they were both students. He had interfered on more than one occasion when James and Sirius were bullying Severus and given them detention. He gave his consent for Harry to spend the night with Severus.
Friday night was fun for Harry. After dinner they played Wizard's Chess in front of a fire; his dad was teaching him how to play. They popped corn and toasted marshmallows and drank pumpkin juice. Severus was dressed in jeans, trainers and a wool V-neck jumper as it was chilly in the dungeon. Harry was dressed in a jumper, jeans and trainers. They played Exploding Snap and Severus showed Harry how to play Gobstones, but after several times of the stones squirting a smelly liquid at him he decided to put off learning the game. He did find out the interesting fact that Severus' mum was captain of the Gobstones team during her seventh year and they had won a tournament competing with other magical schools. He also found out she had won many potion awards as had his dad. Harry told him about Hermione's observations about Dean Thomas.
"Miss Granger does have good instincts about people," Severus replied.
"Yes and he's never taken part in any of Weasley's or Finnegan's antics. In fact, he always looks like he wants to be anywhere else but with them."
"Well, I think it would be beneficial for him if you and your friends were to offer him your friendship."
"I did tell Hermione that we should invite him over the next time she saw he was looking over at us."
"It's always good to have friends in other houses and I'm glad to see you have friends in all three houses and possibly a fourth house."
"I wish they didn't have that stupid rule about having to sit at your house tables though," Harry complained. "Because we'd like to be able to sit together."
"There is no actual rule, Harry. It is just that no one has ever had the courage to do it."
"Maybe, it's time for a change, Dad."
"Possibly," Severus agreed. He was proud that Harry was willing to attempt something new.
They had just finished washing, drying, and putting away the breakfast dishes the next morning when the floo sounded. "Severus, may we come through?" Dumbledore called.
"Yes, go ahead," Severus replied. 'I'm not looking forward to this at all,' he thought. He stood aside of the fireplace with his hands on Harry's shoulders.
Dumbledore stepped out of the green flames followed by two other men. One was tall with dark, curly black hair, grey eyes and wore expensive clothing; the other was shorter, thinner with light brown hair that already showed streaks of grey and amber colored eyes. His clothes appeared to be rather shabby looking.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet your godfather and your father's best friend, Sirius Black," Dumbledore said. "And this is Remus Lupin; your father's other good friend. You will be seeing a lot of Remus as he has accepted my offer to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor since Professor Quirrell will be unable to return."
"Merlin's arse, but you look just like James!" Sirius exclaimed. "I was afraid Snivellus would have you covered in grease by now!" He gave a bark of laughter.
Remus frowned and said, "Sirius…"
"I'll just leave you to get acquainted with your godfather, Harry," Dumbledore said as he stepped back into the floo and disappeared.
"I will be in my lab, if you need me," Severus said. "You may also call Blinky."
"Just don't blow us all up while you're playing in your chemistry lab, Sniv!" Sirius said and then gave another bark of laughter.
Severus ignored him and went into his lab and shut the door and leaned against it. "Merlin almighty! He felt like he had gone back to his fifth year when Potter and Black had been at their worst.
Harry frowned at Sirius. Why was he being so nasty to his dad?
"Isn't he the spitting image of Prongs, Moony?" Sirius said. "Me and your dad were best mates from first year on. We were the best in Transfiguration and Defense. We were the kings of pranksters and the best looking and most popular kids in school. We ruled the school and everybody, all the professors and other students, loved and envied us."
"Sirius, I think your usual hyperbole is a bit overwhelming for Harry," Remus said. "Why don't we sit down and you can start from the beginning and Harry can ask any questions he might have."
Harry liked Remus immediately, but Sirius reminded him too much of Ron Weasley and his loud voice and his arrogant attitude grated on his nerves like a squeaky hinge.
"Yeah, you're right, Moony," Sirius agreed flopping down in one of Severus leather recliners and putting his feet up on the coffee table. "Hmm …guess Snivvy must've cleaned all the grease off his furniture because I didn't slide out of the chair." He looked around him. "Pretty posh place for somebody who didn't have two Knuts to rub together."
"Dad inherited his grandfather's estate," Harry snapped. He wished this meeting was over and Sirius would get out.
"Whatever, kid. Okay, like I said your dad and me met on the Hogwarts Express first year. That's also when we met your mum and Snivellus. I think Prongs was crazy about your mum the first time he saw her, but Snivvy was always in the way. He was a weird kid, wore patched, hand-me-down clothes that didn't fit, had greasy hair even back then and his nose was so big you could hardly see the rest of his face!" Sirius gave another bark of laughter.
"He wasn't that bad, Sirius," Remus objected. "He was poor, and his clothes weren't always in the best shape, but they were always clean."
"Yeah, too bad his parents never taught him basic hygiene. Anyway, Prongs and me made a splash right from the first day and then when your dad made the Gryffindor house team as a Chaser – there was no stopping us! I'll bet you're a Quidditch fanatic just like your dad," Sirius said beaming.